Online gambling in New Zealand

With plenty of changes taking place in nearby Australia, many kiwi players are increasingly wondering whether online gambling in New Zealand is legal. For many players in New Zealand, they need to know that they can play safely in the knowledge that they are doing so without breaking any laws.

In short, gambling online from New Zealand does not break any laws. There are no laws that prohibit gambling activities, so you are at no risk of facing any legal consequences when playing at your favourite New Zealand online casino.

Licensed New Zealand Online Casinos

The 2003 Gambling Act covers all online gambling activities in New Zealand. Although it does not provide the opportunity to acquire a local gambling license in New Zealand, you can still gamble. Remember, that since there are no operating online casinos in New Zealand when betting online, you are playing at a casino with offices outside New Zealand.

There is nothing stated in the law that could prevent offshore casinos from offering online gambling services to players in New Zealand. As long as the casino in question accepts players from New Zealand, you are entitled to sign up there, claim one of the best casino bonuses NZ and claim any winnings from such activities.

Legal Gambling in New Zealand

Gambling in New Zealand has been documented as early as the 1830s when New Zealand gamblers would bet on horse racing. Even though the island is in an isolated position, kiwi George Julius had made a lasting impact on the world of sports and gambling that still resonates to this day.

In 1913, Julius created the “automatic totalisator”, a machine that lets spectators see which horses are in what position during the race.

Following a lengthy period of prohibition on almost all forms of gambling in the country, gambling expenditures have not reached the NZD$2 billion a year, with pokies accounting to 35% of the sum.

How to pick a reputable online casino in New Zealand

Kiwi players must make their own decisions when it comes to choosing the right casino as there is no licensing body that takes care of online casinos locally. There are numerous online casinos NZ that welcome kiwi players with welcome arms, but there are always differences and exceptions that you should watch out for.

Always look for licensing information, which is usually displayed in the footer of the site. Even though there are no available local licenses, always stick to casinos that are licensed by reputable gambling bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.

NZ casinos which are licensed by reputable gambling bodies, are safe to use. They also take all necessary measures to handle any personal and financial information securely.

After that, always look for superb casino bonus offers NZ as well as other promotions that you are content with. This does not mean that the bigger the casino bonus, the better it is. Read our article about how to evaluate the value of casino bonuses here. Look for the wagering requirements. Many casino bonuses come with the standard 35x. Anything above this amount should be avoided. If you’re lucky enough to find wagering requirements that are lower than 35x, such as is the case with Dunder Casino, jump right in.

Online gambling in New Zealand FAQs

Can kiwis play at international online casinos?

Although New Zealand gaming regulations might appear to be strict, they only focus on putting a stop to New Zealand-based online operators that are not licensed by the state. As long as you are at least 18 years of age and the casino in question accepts kiwis as players, you can play safely.

Can I make deposits and withdrawals at online casinos?

Of course. It is legal to make deposits and to request withdrawals from an international online casino, provided that the casino in question is not based in New Zealand. The best online casinos accept NZD$.

Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings?

As long as you are playing at international online casinos, you don’t have to pay any tastes, and you can retain 100% of your winnings. They are not subject to income tax.

Do online casinos accept NZD$?

Yes. All the best online casinos in New Zealand accept NZD$. Players can further make deposits and request withdrawals in NZD$. There are no exchanging fees since you can play in your currency.

Online gambling safety for New Zealand Players

Since there are no online casinos based in New Zealand, players have to put a degree of trust into regulations and laws in other countries. With many gamblers residing in New Zealand, many online casinos go out of their away, to accept New Zealand players and their currency.

Having a look for certification such as that of eCogra, as well as any licenses in the country where the online casinos are based, will help you make a smart decision when signing up to a new NZ Casino. These credentials are usually displayed in the footer of the website.

Online gambling safety FAQS

Are my funds safe and secure?

Provided you are signing up to a reputable online casino NZ; you should be fine. Watch out for the eCOGRA logo at the bottom of the homepage. Additionally, having certification for security testing such as SSL encryption should give you extra peace of mind as the casino is practicing fair gambling procedures.

Are online casinos NZ fair?

All casinos with an eCOGRA, are audited regularly and checked for the highest standards of quality. Standards include customer privacy and safeguarding both personal and financial information via ecryption software. These casinos further employ the services of a Random Number Generator and games undergo regular inspectives.